The events of September 11 brought home to the world just how dangerous is the job of fire fighting.  So when fire fighters in Britain demanded substantial pay increases there was public sympathy and support. Following the breakdown of talks between employers, central government and unions, we are facing the consequences of strike action.  Public support is divided.  There is general admiration for the work performed by fire fighters but many cannot condone strike action in pursuit of a pay increase of 40%.

The government stance is clear: any increase in pay has to be measured in the wider context of pay increases throughout the public sector.  This stance would have gained more respect had not the Prime Minister awarded himself an increase of 40%. 

The Union stance is also clear: an increase in basic pay from £21,000 to £30,000 for a shift pattern that allows many of its members to hold down second jobs.  Yet the healthy response to recruitment campaigns suggests that the job is attractive compared with what else is on offer.

It is impossible to compare jobs within the public sector.  However, pay structures cannot be determined in the same way that a free market determines pay structures in the private sector.  Arbitrary decisions have to be made on supply and demand, length of training, responsibility, unsociable hours or shift patterns, physical danger, stress, and so forth.  Whilst not minimising the dangers of entering a burning building, it would be interesting to note whether early retirements on health grounds are more numerous in the fire service or in education.

Starting from scratch it would seem that working in the public sector warrants a basic pay which supports a basic standard of living.  This could then be supplemented according to the special circumstances of each industry.  In fact, much of the fire-fighter’s work is not concerned with entering burning buildings, and so rather than rewarding potential danger with a large basic wage it would make more sense to have a more modest basic wage, supplemented by bonuses for attending fires.  Current working practices, which permit fire fighters to sleep on night shift, should not receive the same rewards as those in the medical profession, where second jobs are virtually impossible.

When a fire fighter suffers serious injury or gives up his or her life in the line of duty, the nation should show its appreciation with a generous settlement.  But the routine element of a job should be kept in context.